Why do people care about the lives of movie stars?

Question

I'm just wondering why would seemingly intelligent individuals, devote their lives to be a spectator of other people's lives? Why are there television broadcasts that are completely about Tom Cruise's baby or Paris Hilton's new sex tape? Why are there news broadcasts that instead of covering the car bombings in Iraq or the current genocide in Darfur, Sudan, have a "special" two hour broadcast on what the idiot from Seinfeld said? I know that the media is only partly to blame because they are just catering what the majority public wants. I'm just sick of the celeberity worship. I want to know whats is so appealing about other people's lives. What is wrong people's lives that they care so much about celebrities and how they live their life. This question is directed to those of you out there that read the gossip magizines, watch entertainment tonight religiously, or can not wait to see whos wearing what at the awards shows. (others can feel free to answer also)

Answer 1

I have pondered the same question. My best guess: most of society (excluding celebrities themselves) consists of three groups of people. One group believes the rich & famous have better or more exciting lives, and so crave details that appear to confirm that myth, so they can vicariously experience the dream. Another group resents the fame & wealth of celebrities and so crave stories that reveal celebrities suffer the same moral flaws as the rest of humanity, thereby making this group feel better about their own woes. The other third of the population is like you and I--unaffected by the fame of others.

Answer 2

I'll be honest, I do read gossip magazines, but I also read the Financial Times each day. I work at an Investment firm and sometimes, just reading 'trashy' celebrity magazines shuts me off a bit from other things that I am dealing with. Half the time, I am not even sure who all of the so called 'celebrities' are, but still enjoy a quick read through. As for awards shows, I am an Academy Awards buff - I love the anticipation, because it seems at least the past few years the people everyone speculated to win, did not. So after all this, why do I care? I guess, because the media shoves most of this down our throats. You can watch CNN or MSNBC news and see things about the war, and then 2 seconds later hear something about Rosie O'Donnell. I would much prefer News be kept as News....but I will still grab my copy of People and glance through it a bit.

Answer 3

It is human nature to want to know about about uncommon and rare things and people. Celebrities have a different lifestyle and that is not common to everyone. We are always interested in something different from the normal. Also the common people expect celebrities to live up to a standard and form preconceived notions about them, and they want to know how they're doing in their lives, based on our expectations. In some cases, we also expect them to be role models (for e. g for a moment forgetting that they're only meant to be actors - not mentors, not philosophers). So we create our own image of them, and get satisfaction in comparing their real life styles.

Answer 4

by using fact an excellent form of people discover their very own lives boring. They see those people who get to wine and dine, and bypass out and social gathering, and have a lot of stuff and that they need they have been them. So, they grow to be captivated with them and in basic terms concentration on the celebrity's lives instead of their very own. And, while somebody does something undesirable, like Tiger Woods, those people evaluate the celebrity's faults to their very own and think of "hi, i'm no longer as undesirable as this guy", as a result feeling greater useful than the celebs. So, all in all, all people is in basic terms drawn to creating themselves sense greater useful, and via specializing in somebody else all of the undesirable issues on your person lifestyle of disappear. unhappy, yet authentic. yet, it somewhat is incorrect, and we shouldn't concentration lots on people's lives- it somewhat is stupid to evaluate.

Answer 5

Celebrities aren't important. Everyone overexaggerates and overemphasizes the beauty of celebrities and everything. They should care about themselves and how the world is doing. I'm putting my hands up, no more talking about celebrities. In any way, never again will I do so. Unless I feel like it...:D

Answer 6

You're not directing the question at me then, but I'd like to answer anyway.

I think most people are bored with their own lives, so they have to latch on to those whose lives are filled with controversy. It gives them something to talk about, thus making their own lives seem more exciting. I think it gives them something to look forward to.

I know that seems like I'm oversimplifying, but that's how I see it. I don't really care about little Sury, or Brittney and her latest escapades, but I will admit I sometimes pay attention when there's nothing better to do. Also, I think it's ok to pay attention to pop culture as long as you don't obsess over it. When the stars make the news I like to know because I believe it's a direct reflection of society. I think it pays for parents to pay attention in particular, because they need to know who is influencing their kids, be they in movies, music, or tv.

Answer 7

Individuals have different interest and taste. Among them love these things. Can you blame them? Respect their identity and try to live to your own expectation by your own means. There are other people breathing and living you know, and this is their interest. Although I must say it's nonsense but we are mostly interacting with them. Somebody likes this somebody like that and so on and so forth. What ever benefit they can get its thier own business.

Answer 8

I'm not one of those people, but I believe it has to do with the fact that celebrities, to some, seem to have perfect lives, and when that myth is debunked, it's like looking at an accident on the side of the road. It's interesting to see these "immortal people" fall from grace or do something human (like buying deodorant).

Answer 9

I have wondered the same thing. I just cannot understand why people are so interested in the lives of movie stars. I'm like- who cares! I think it must point to something lacking in the lives of those who are so interested.

Answer 10

My only immediate answer to your great question is that Hollywood is so-o-o in our faces whether we want it or not. There was a time when there were worthwhile actors/actresses, paul Newman, Greg Peck, audrey Hepburn, catherine de'neuve. Nowadays all we seem to have is white trash...who actually get paid!!!!!!!